Cool change: Lewin’s change management model

In previous blog posts we have looked at change management methodologies, including the Kotter model of change. Here I am going to outline Kurt Lewin’s 3-step model. All of these models and theories need to work within your chosen change methodology. I will also give some examples of how I have applied Lewin’s model.

Lewin’s model has 3 steps and 9 activities:

1. Unfreeze

Examine status quo

Increase driving forces for change

Decrease resisting forces against

2. Move

Take action

Make changes

Involve people

3. Refreeze

Make change permanent

Establish new way of things

Reward desired outcomes

It has some similarities to Kotter’s approach and has a focus of recognising that organisations need to change from business as usual, take action, and then embed the change within the organisation.

The model is underpinned by techniques to look clearly at where you are or the status quo, areas of resistance, driving forces and so on, and take those driving forces and acknowledge that these might need to be enhanced, increased to create that compelling vision like we heard of in Kotter’s model.

As with all change, resisting forces are the items that change managers need to navigate through, ideally with the support of a change champion. Moving is the planning component involving people, taking action and setting things up for the Refreeze stage.

Make the change permanent e.g. embed the system or the new policy or the new building or service standard. Reward desired outcomes through a range of techniques and incentives.

I was asked about this model at a conference I spoke at recently. I said I found it was relevant but the whole concept of refreezing in many organisations wasn’t occurring. It was more like a slushy type of finish, rather than a sense of being back on solid (frozen) ground.